Lapwing in Velaines

We go to Velaines, part of Celles in the district of Tournai. Meet at the parish church of Saint-Martin, Place de Velaines. The choir of the church dates from the sixteenth century and the nave and tower from the late eighteenth century. The church was restored in 1922 and the nearby First World War memorial dates from the same year. With your back to the church, cross Place de Velaines and turn right into the narrow Rue Henri Houfflin around the corner. The buildings and grounds behind the white wall on the right are those of the former estate of the Missionary Oblates of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, a congregation of missionaries. For decades (between 1930 and 2010), hundreds of Oblates remained here in preparation or after their missionary work outside Europe. According to the latest reports, the estate is now for sale. At the T-junction, walk right and immediately turn left into Rue de la Madeleine. Once outside the buildings, there is no longer a footpath: be careful along the concrete track.

Soon you will have the cemetery and beautiful views on the right. Turn right 250 meters after the cemetery on rue Delpré. After more than a kilometer you have a large white square farmhouse on the left and 150 meters further you walk right into the Hanicq Hideout. Some typical old farmhouses, as well as the panoramic view, highlight the rural character of Velaines. At the end of the Hanicq Hideout, walk left and 250 meters further next to an electric hut on the right. The asphalt track takes you back to a T-junction via a few right-angle turns after 750 meters. Walk right on Rue du Haut Rejet. Now you pass successively in front of a beautifully renovated guest house Le Temps Different, on the left a chapel under a hollow willow, a large farm La Ferme du Plouys and another beautiful water point. At the T-junction, turn right and turn left after 100 meters (on the sign: arrow 62 of a bike path).

Behind the left wall is the castle of Ogimont and a little further you can see a large chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes in front of the entrance alley of the castle. Walk straight to the intersection. The asphalt track takes you, slightly uphill, into the open field and the highest point of the walk after 2 right-angled turns. In early spring, you can fully admire the characteristic call and the beautiful nuptial flight of the lapwings. After more than a kilometer, turn right, also on asphalt (there is a C3 prohibition sign and a blue sign: Except agricultural convoys, cyclists and horses). The hamlet here is called Maureux and the stream on the right is the Artimont stream.

After 650 meters, turn left and after 600 meters at the T-junction, walk right along the wider asphalt track, Rue de la Hutte. After 400 meters, turn right into Rue de Popuelles in front of house number 5. After 700 meters you have a beautiful square farmhouse on the left and in front of you you can already see the silhouette of the village of Velaines. Just before returning to the Place de Velaines and the church, you have on the right the entrance to the former Oblate estate with behind it a park of nearly 10 hectares, which is unfortunately not yet accessible to the public. On the village square (Place de Velaines) is a café, Le Retro, which is open when it is not closed, it is literally said.